Morocco to Host FIFA Presidential Election in 2027
Vancouver, British Columbia (AP) — The upcoming FIFA presidential election, scheduled for March 18, 2027, is poised to solidify Gianni Infantino's position as president for another four years. This election will take place in Morocco, marking the second consecutive time that the FIFA Congress convenes in Africa, a continent where Infantino has successfully cultivated robust political alliances. His unopposed candidacy for re-election appears almost certain, following a series of successful campaigns since he first won the presidency in a competitive five-candidate race in 2016.
In addressing global soccer leaders, Infantino expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am honored and humbled at the same time," as he officially confirmed his candidacy. The financial stability of FIFA, highlighted by its multi-billion dollar reserves and the lucrative revenue expected from the 2026 World Cup in North America, has afforded the organization the ability to allocate at least $8 million to each voting member federation during this presidential term. Last year, Infantino himself earned over $6 million from his role, which has elevated his international profile, allowing him to engage with prominent figures such as U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who will host the 2034 World Cup.
Morocco's Growing Influence in Global Soccer
The anticipation surrounding the 2027 FIFA Congress initially suggested that the event might rotate back to Europe or Oceania after a series of meetings held in diverse locations such as Canada, Paraguay, Thailand, Rwanda, and Qatar. However, FIFA's decision to host the Congress in Rabat, Morocco—where the organization recently established its African regional office—further cements Morocco's status as a pivotal player in world soccer. Infantino has garnered significant support from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), under the leadership of Patrice Motsepe, solidifying his backing ahead of the election.
Morocco has enjoyed a successful tenure under Infantino's presidency, particularly as it prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. The nation is also in the process of constructing a 115,000-capacity stadium in Casablanca, which is expected to host the World Cup final, with Real Madrid's iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium also vying for this prestigious event. As the nation gears up to host a significant FIFA gathering next year, it serves to showcase Moroccan soccer and its influential sports leader, Fouzi Lekjaa, who doubles as the government budget minister, appointed by King Mohammed VI.
Under Lekjaa's 12-year leadership of the Moroccan football federation, the men's team made history by becoming the first African side to reach the semifinals of the World Cup in 2022, which bolstered Morocco's bid to join the Spain-Portugal project for the World Cup— a bid that had long been anticipated to land in Europe. Despite previous setbacks in hosting competitions dating back to the 1990s, including a strong challenge for the 2026 World Cup, Morocco has also secured a five-year agreement with FIFA to host the annual Under-17 Women's World Cup.
Furthermore, this year Morocco hosted the men's African Cup of Nations, which culminated in a controversial final. Although Senegal claimed victory on the field, Morocco was awarded the title through a CAF appeal, with the outcome now pending at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland following Senegal's appeal. As Infantino's presidency approaches the 15-year mark by 2031, he has navigated through a landscape of governance reforms brought on by U.S. federal investigations into corruption that implicated several senior soccer officials globally. His initial three-year term served to complete Sepp Blatter's ousted presidency, and Infantino's first re-election occurred in Paris, continuing his legacy as a transformative figure in FIFA.
As reported by wral.com.
